Once you have the MotioninJoy drivers working, you run Better DS3. Then you can use Better DS3 to assign your controller mappings, and pair bluetooth controllers. You shouldn’t uninstall MotioninJoy, but once you have the drivers installed you don’t need to use DS3_Tool anymore. Better DS3 doesn’t need to be installed, just copy it to your computer somewhere and run it. If you want it to start automatically with windows, just drag a shortcut of Better DS3 to your Startup folder.
So to be able to run this we still need to have the DS3 tool for the drivers?? I think I’d rather prefer this offline tool to be capable to be a stand alone application and not a leech to the other you now classified as a threat to my PC.
Also a recomendation: add a test feature where a screen of a PS3 or X360 controller shows up and lights up buttons which you press or on screen thumbsticks move as you do the ones in your hand. It would make it much easier to map buttons. Just a thought.
Currently yes.
A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of driver management.
I’d like to address that in a different post.
I’ll ask the guy who did the graphics for the Better DS3 profile manager if he’s interested, otherwise, I’m not really capable of doing the artwork required for the graphical view.
Hey Phil, gotta say the additions you have crammed into version 1.4 have blown my mind. I exclusively use the PS3 Navi over keyboard for many games.
After using Motioninjoy offline mods til now, my PC FINALLY feels clean.
Even the offline 6.5 mod randomly flagged a firewall rule every few weeks or so. Using MiJ always made me feel dirty, too uncomfortable to play my games and even use my PC, like you I explored, armed with my rubbish coding skills an alternative, looking at the MiJ messy code I simply gave up scratching my head – “what is this shit?”.
Today is a fine day – not only Navigation controller support you have crammed in Xinput too. Please put a Paypal donate button up, I wanna buy you a beer or three, I got no job but BetterDS3 1.4 is so worth it.
Hi. I need more info on how to use it. I have a Win7 64bit with all the requirements in the home page. My problem is that whenever I connect my PS3 controller via USB it already connects it thru the DS3 Tool. Even with bluetooth. Another thing is that when I open Better DS3 thru USB the controller is not recognized.
Maybe you can make a step by step tutorial on how this software works alongside the MotionInJoy driver. I really have no idea. Thanks.
Sorry I’m too dumb to notice that the version of my motionjoy is 7.0000. Everything works fine now. I would suggest that ps3 controller should be pre-configured in DX Input. I ended up opening DS3 tool and copying the button map there. All in all this is a great project. Thanks for your work.
Thanks so much for this awesome tool!!!! Tried installing motioninjoy all weekend to no avail I have used it before but its just so uuuummm rubbish really, then I got ripped off paying for Xpadder which is just aweful worse still Xpaddee requires motioninjoy to work in order for it to work go figure!!!
BetterDS3 just works, its a download not an install and it only took 5 mins and I was playing PSO2 with my gamepad!!!! The GUI is just great and the auto button mapping is excellant. The guide video is also very helpful.
I am using a PS3 controller and i found that BBS3 auto installed the XB360 drivers just like that! A donate button pls!!!
Hi! First off, awesome software!
Second, everything works perfectly except one thing. The auto-apply doesnt work so every time I connect or reconnect my controller I have to open and press “apply”. Do I have to do something special to make it work?
For this feature to work, Better DS3 has to be running. You can check the “Minimize to Tray” box so it’s less obtrusive. Also, you have to have a master profile set by checking the “Automatically apply to controllers when connected” box in the profile editor screen.
What I do is drag a shortcut to Better DS3 to the Startup folder in the start menu. Check the “Start Minimized” and “Minimize to Tray” checkboxes, and that way I don’t have to worry about it again.
Hi Phil, first I won’t to thank you for this wonderful program. It is working great but I am having trouble with Profiles automatically applying when I connect via blue-tooth. I installed the net 3.5 thinking it was that and applied it, but it is still not working for me. Is there something I am missing or maybe did wrong?
Sorry, this is copy paste, but you both have the same exact question.
For this feature to work, Better DS3 has to be running. You can check the “Minimize to Tray” box so it’s less obtrusive. Also, you have to have a master profile set by checking the “Automatically apply to controllers when connected” box in the profile editor screen.
What I do is drag a shortcut to Better DS3 to the Startup folder in the start menu. Check the “Start Minimized” and “Minimize to Tray” checkboxes, and that way I don’t have to worry about it again.
Phil I did all that and when I start up my computer it connects but does not show anything on the Better Ds3 tool window. (basically acting like it doesn’t connect) I have to shutdown Better DS3 and then open it back up for it to recognize that it is connected via blue-tooth. And then I have to manual apply my profile again. I would love to start and just push the PS button and have it apply the profile without doing anything. At first I thought it was the Net 3.5 but I installed it and applied it to my windows
“… when I start up my computer it connects but…” What is the “it” in this sentence? If you are talking about the DualShock 3 controller connected over USB then this is expected. Better DS3 gets notifications about USB devices being plugged in. It’s likely that your computer has enumerated the hardware before Better DS3 is launched during startup. If this is the case, I could perhaps add an additional option to apply the master profile to all controllers present upon starting Better DS3. Although it’s kind of odd that you say the controllers aren’t detected at all in Better DS3 until you close and open it again. I’m kind of confused by that.
That would be awesome if you could do that, I have tried everything and I just can not get it “the PS3 controller” to connect via bluetooth on a start up. Seems to just connect as a Motionjoy controller in the Control Panel until I completely close Better DS3 and reopen. When I reopen Better DS3 I can now apply the Profile and in the “connected DS3 Controllers” its shows it is indeed connected via bluetooth (not there on start up). I have uninstalled and re installed about 10 times and still can’t figure out why it does it. But anyway big thanks again for this because it is still functionally and awesome 🙂
Your the man Phil , Once again you have gone above and beyond. This has been working flawless for me now. I start up a game push the PS button to connect, and Bam connected with the profile I need. Thanks again.
Heya,
can you add an option that turns “close window” into “minimize”?
I like having the tool in my tray, but I have this old habit to close windows I don’t need on reflex.
Wow I thought this was going to be a waste of time. I’m so glad I was wrong! Works great, thanks for making this. Also, after you install the drivers and get it working, you can uninstall motionInJoy! A notable plus!
Hey there, thanks for this nice program. I get a bluescreen if my USB cable comes out of my PS3 controller, which is a major problem. Is this reproducible on your end?
P.S. This only occurs while playing Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition. I haven’t tried it in any other games, but I’m guessing that it will do the same under any circumstances where a program is utilizing the controller.
A BSOD can only be caused by kernel mode software. Since Better DS3 doesn’t have those privileges, it is not the cause of the issue you are experiencing. I have had these problems with the MotioninJoy driver myself, but only when connecting or disconnecting my DualShock 3 controller via USB, as you’ve mentioned. I have solved this problem for myself by simply not connecting the DualShock 3 controller via USB, and instead relying on a Bluetooth connection to use the controller. I charge it elsewhere.
Sorry.
This really helps sir. I would suggest giving an automatic button to assign the ps3 buttons as like from the xbox thingy. >.< It would help alot of us with less knowledge on control mapping so much. Thanks. Thank you very much!
Is there any chance this supports the built in bluetooth adaptors in Macbook Pros? MIJ doesn’t and I can’t stand having to be tethered by USB when using my Dualshock.
Amazing program glad I stumbled upon it via the youtube video. However I do have a problem, after waking my computer from sleep Better DS3 won’t recognize my dualshock, after a restart it will work perfectly but if I put it to sleep and wake it the next day it won’t work.
Initially I found if I kept Better DS3 minimized instead of closing it would keep the problem from happening but that doesn’t work anymore. Nobody else seems to have this problem so I figure it’s something on my end.
Before I had the Xinput Wrapper from the PCSX2 forums to game with my dualshock, I uninstalled the driver (I think) before installing DS3 Tool but maybe I didn’t do it right, any thoughts?
If the only thing that will fix it is a restart of the computer I think this is driver related. If you notice the same issue with the original DS3_Tool then for sure, it’s the MIJ drivers, sorry.
Alright thanks for looking into it, it isn’t a big deal honestly since it still works and the fix isn’t difficult. Later I’ll try reinstalling the drivers and see if that does anything.
This website does not easily come up in searches mind you, but people should know about it – I almost gave up and bought a stinky old 360 pad before I stumbled on this.
So glad I found this! The GUI is really, really nice too. One question. Are the L2 and R2 buttons mapped the same as the Xbox 360 triggers when auto-filling the config? They feel as if there is some dead zone set too big. For example, in Alan Wake R2 is used to accelerate a car, but my car will almost not drive until I fully press the trigger. Another example: in Tomb Raider when shooting the bow with the X360 controller I can slightly pull the string. With my PS3 controller I cannot.
Try to calibrate the controller in windows. Click the Control Panel button on Better DS3, select the controller, click properties, go to the settings tab, and click the calibrate button.
After that it should be good to go.
Thank you for this! I’m really happy since I found it.
But I don’t know how to pair the bluetooth with this. It worked when I had it paired before with DS3_Tool, which is done just by a click, but I don’t know how to do it with Better DS3.
Connect your DualShock 3 controller via USB.
Highlight it by clicking it under Connected DS3 Controllers on the left.
In the Bluetooth Pairing group in the lower right…
Make sure Host is filled in (this is the MAC address of your bluetooth adapter)
Current Master will show the address the controller is currently paired with.
Make sure New Master is set to the same as Host.
Click Set. Controller is now paired.
By the way, I uninstalled DS3_Tool and this still works fine. It seems like the DS3_Tool uninstaller doesn’t uninstall the driver, so there is no need to have DS3_Tool in your computer once you have the driver.
Would it be possible to make this compatible with the drivers from the Xinput Wrapper from the PCSX2 forums so I don’t have to install the shady almost impossible to fullly remove from your system drivers that motionjoy installs?
So you take a free tool+driver, a signed one at that which cost alot money, remove the means of support for the developer of said tool+driver, wrongfully call it a trojan horse just because it requires an internet connection, and then ask for donations for yourself on this site while using someone else work…
I debated approving this comment, but because there may be other misguided people, I’ll respond to it publicly in the interest of full disclosure.
“So you take a free tool+driver, a signed one at that which cost alot money,”
I didn’t take anything.
“remove the means of support for the developer of said tool+driver,”
I didn’t remove anything.
“wrongfully call it a trojan horse”
No it’s definitely a trojan horse. I never said there were trojan soldiers inside it at the moment.
I explained truthfully in my writeup what the capabilities of DS3_Tool are. This is irrefutable.
To me those capabilities define a trojan horse. You can call it whatever you like.
“just because it requires an internet connection,”
For no rational reason whatsoever.
“and then ask for donations for yourself on this site”
I put a bitcoin address at the top of my site three days ago for donations.
People have asked me both publicly and privately for a way to donate to me.
If you feel like taking the time to look around my site, you’ll see that.
“while using someone else work…”
That’s like me arguing that Adobe Photoshop depends on Windows to be installed, so Adobe is using someone else’s work.
I’m not trying to take credit for the work of MotioninJoy at all. In fact Better DS3 wouldn’t work without it. All I’ve done is create an alternative and arguably better tool which configures the MotioninJoy driver. If people want to use Better DS3 instead of DS3_Tool, that’s their choice and their prerogative. I made this tool for myself. For a personal project I made. I felt it’d be nice to share it with other people. Along the way people have pointed out bugs in my software that I’ve fixed, along with other suggestions for improvement, some of which I’ve implemented. I answer questions using my own free time to the best of my ability.
hi, thanks for the great work.
Can it save/load the profiles to the same folder as the executable (instead of using the user/appdata) to make it fully portable/dropboxable ?
Just copy your existing settings file and profiles to the folder where you keep Better DS3.
Better DS3 will now check in its own folder for the settings file, and if it exists it will use that path, otherwise it will behave as it did before.
Can you elaborate a little bit on the analog to digital threshold sliders? How they’re supposed to work? I was interested in setting up my triggers with about 70% of their analog “throw”, and then having them switch to digital for the last 30%, so I wouldn’t have to death-grip them to register maximum input. I had been thinking that your sliders would provide for this, but since the triggers are set up as a joystick axis it just creates a useless dead zone.
The analog to digital thresholds are a little confusing. Let me explain them.
If you create a mapping under the digital column for an analog physical input (Triangle for instance), then MIJ will choose its own threshold, you have no control over this.
However, if you create a mapping to a digital button under the analog column for an analog physical input, then this slider becomes a dead-zone for the physical controller.
You can map two different functions to a button, one analog and one digital, then use a higher value on the slider to activate the secondary analog function (however, both will be activated at the same time.)
What you are trying to achieve can be done by “cheating” the calibration in windows. For instance, set your L2 and R2 to an analog axis +/- (not a full axis). Then when you are calibrating, only pull those triggers as hard as you want the maximum activation value to be. That way windows thinks that is the full travel of the triggers. It’s a workaround but it’s the only way as far as I’ve found.
My problem with MotioninJoy was that I got blue screens because of it. I’m not exactly sure what was causing it, though reading through the comments it seems that it was caused by using USB connectivity rather than Bluetooth. Does the same issue happen with this tool? Would you say that using the Bluetooth connection is ultimately better and more stable than the USB alternative?
Yes the same will occur with Better DS3, since the fault lies within the kernel mode driver of MIJ itself.
I have had better success not using USB at all, and strictly using bluetooth for all of my controllers.
I’ve not had a BSOD yet using bluetooth. However, I’ve heard people say that if your battery dies while connected via bluetooth you may have a problem, I don’t let my battery die, so I can’t be sure.
– Balloon tips for controller connects/disconnects, also showing battery state
– Single click on systray icon opens application (instead of double click)
Thanks so much for this tool! Had some issues getting it working after installing multiple versions of the MIJ drivers and having to manually edit the inf files so the bluetooth driver would install, but after a complete uninstall/reinstall and a controller reset I was in business. Drivers are in place, MIJ DS3 Tool is uninstalled, Better DS3 is in my startup folder, and everything works like a charm. Again, many thanks!
Hello and thanks for providing this piece of software.
I’m using it under XP 32bit.
What I observed was that I can’t shutdown the system until I close BetterDS3. I mean exiting, not just minimizing.
The second thing: I have a master profile that should be applied on connection. I don’t know if it’s done (should I get no button response if not?), but the select field in the gui seems not be updated if it is.
Have a nice day
Stefan
The first issue is a bug that I will be addressing shortly.
With a master profile set, and Better DS3 running.
Any controller you connect to your computer from that point on will have the master profile assigned to it. You will not be notified, nothing in the interface will look different, it should just work.
Sorry to say, but 1.5.1 does not fix the shutdown prevention for me (XP SP3 32bit).
As a Linux guy I know next to nothing about windows programming, but if you need me to clamp a monitor or something on your app for inspection, just tell me what to do.
I’m having the same issue on Windows 7 x64. From a little bit of testing, it seems to be caused by having “Close Minimizes” checked. At least, it hangs shutdown if I have it checked but doesn’t if it is unchecked. This is pretty consistently replicable for me. I would assume the close command Windows is sending for shutdown is only minimizing the program over and over because of whatever code you put in to keep it open.
That’s the version I am using. I downloaded it on April 28th. I still get the notification that I can’t shutdown Windows without closing Better DS3 or forcing it to end.
Great work, by the way. I just wish there was a way to install the drivers without ever downloading MiJ.
I was wondering, is it possible in the future to implement a way to auto-apply master profile at already connected controllers?
Actually the auto-apply feature works only with controllers connected after the program launch. Since I don’t ever unplug the controller I have to manually apply the profile at each system reboot.
Hey,
this is a great program! I do have a problem though. I am using it together with Xpadder because I want the keyboard settings. all the buttons work but not the sticks : control panel properties, I see that all the buttons work fine but still not the joy sticks. How do I fix this? I am using MIJ 0.7.1001.
Currently yeah.
I can’t really have a standard PayPal donate button, it’s not worth the hassle to register as a non-profit and all that. I may add a different type of PayPal button at some point, and if I do, I’ll let you know.
Hey, you know how a lot of fighting games on consoles, emulators on PC, and PC games in general let you select a button to remap, then you press that button on your controller, and it maps it to the one you selected? You should have that in this.
It’s really confusing to try to match up buttons 1-15 with the appropriate option in the dropdown list.
Hi, i LOVE MotioninJoy, so i like this program too.
I have a request: i’d like to see in next update of “Better DS3” the addition of a great feature from the lastest version of MotioninJoy (0.7.1001), that SADLY not work.
It’s the “Custom” configuration, that allows you to create a configuration combining the keybord keys + mouse inputs + Xinput buttons!
How i say before, sadly this feature not work on MotioninJoy, when you save the Custom profile and returns to the homepage, all the changes will be gone 🙁
Please, can you fix this feature? i’d appreciate very much.
Many thanks for the support and an eventual answer ^^
http://imageshack.us/a/img507/5522/senzatitolo3p.jpg
3) Now, if you check the “Xinput” mode and THEN you create a new profile, you can customize a profile with the Xinput insted of DirectInput of a generic Gamepad.
Like you see, potentially you can make a great hybrid configuration that would be useful for certain game.
Take a look yourself and let me know if this feature is workable for Better DS3, i appreciate ^^
I have MotioninJoy 0.7.1001 installed and it recognizes controllers properly, but Better DS3 does not see my controllers at all. I have tried connecting them both via Bluetooth and USB. Any ideas?
Is it possible you had an older installation of MotioninJoy, and then upgraded to a new release, but then you didn’t update the drivers as well? As far as I know, simply updating MIJ, does not update the drivers, you have to do that manually.
Also, are you using a Sony DualShock 3, or some other generic?
I am using DS3 controllers. The normal MIJ interface reports the driver version as 0.7.1001, but I will try uninstalling the drivers and reinstalling them to see if that makes a difference.
I didn’t add this for a couple of reasons.
First off, if Better DS3 were to add registry entries, it would require administrative access.
One of the tenets of Better DS3 was to NOT require administrative privileges.
Also, it’s pretty trivial to drag a shortcut of Better DS3 to your Startup folder in the start menu.
Cant find startup folder in Windows 8 so i put it in “regedit”, now it works.
For some reason i get that Better DS3 “is preventing PC to restart” screen, but solved that in “regedit” aswell 🙂
Windows 8 may not have a Startup folder, I’ve not used it, I just assumed they’d keep it.
I’m hearing additional comments from people that say Better DS3 is preventing their computers from restarting. I’m looking into additional ways to detect Windows shutdown, as apparently Microsoft hasn’t made a standard notification method across operating systems. I’ll be fixing this shortly. Thanks for the info.
The new version fixed the shutdown problem, for win8 x64 at least. 🙂
I think i found a bug with the `close minimizes`. When i use X (close) to minimize to tray, then connect ps3-controller, it doesnt show under `connected controller` when betterDS3 is reopened.
The controller works fine, but i cannot disconnect or apply a profile. 🙂
I like the look of this tool and I am having a simple problem you have already addressed. However, due to my circumstances I am unable to fix the problem conventionally. As addressed above by other people, my controller is not being read because I lack the proper drivers. My circumstances prevent me from accessing the motioninjoy tool due to a netgear firewall that I cannot override that somehow prevents the usage of the DS3 Tool to get the drivers I need. D you have any way I can get these drivers without having to go through the Motioninjoy DS3 Tool? Perhaps an external download or something? If you can’t help me with this, that’s fine and I will figure out a way to do it myself if I must. Thank you in advance for any advice or help you can offer.
Sorry about that.
I don’t want to distribute any software that’s not my own.
You should be able to manually install the driver through device manager by navigating to your bluetooth dongle and choosing the driver to install from the path that contains the .inf from MIJ.
Try browsing the install directory of MIJ for the drivers.
I’m not 100% on this though, I’ve not done it this way.
My problem is with the “Z axis” asign to l2 and r2 trigger buttons in the mode “controler (Xbox 360 wireles receiver for windows” (in device profile) i cant make it work and i just make it work like buttons not like trigger what i need in Fifa 13, is any solution for this? please. Im using Windows 8 64bits, Better DS3 v1.5.1. Thanks
I don’t think there is a Z Axis in XInput mode.
But try this.
1.) Set L2 to Axis Z – under Analog, None under digital.
2.) Set R2 to Axis Z + under Analog, None under digital.
3.) Calibrate the controller in Windows.
I don’t know about Windows 8, but in Windows 7:
-In Better DS3, click Control Panel
-Click Properties
-Click Settings tab
-Click Calibrate
-Follow instructions
I was wondering if you have plans to implement button combinations.
For example, pressing SQUARE = R, but holding L1 and pressing SQUARE would = F.
I use XPadder to achieve this for now, but it would be nice to just use Better DS3. I like to set L1 + button = 1 through 9, for hot key options.
Thanks!
Hi! I have purchased a TRENDnet Micro-Bluetooth USB Adapter so I can use my controller wirelessly. This product came with a driver installation. After I installed the driver all I needed to do was open Better DS3, apply my profile and I was set! I can use my controller wirelessly!
NOW the problem is that after I TURN OFF my computer, I open DS3 the “host” box was empty but the “bluetooth pairing” section was active, but I can not make a connection!
It’s possible the MIJ driver is no longer installed for your bluetooth adapter. I’ve heard someone mention that with Windows 8 the MIJ driver is replaced on reboot. Not sure if that’s your issue, but you may want to check it out in MIJ to see if that’s the case.
If the host box is empty it means that the MIJ driver is not reporting finding your bluetooth adapter as a configurable device.
It’s very strange… Just right after I installed the Bluetooth dongle setup it connected and worked… And after a reboot its stopped working?! Hmm… I’ll have to use MotionJoy and see what happens. But unfortunately when I go to http://www.motioninjoy.com/ it tells me 403 forbidden!!!
What’s is going on? Now where can I get the setup files… -__-
Hi! Let me start by saying that I love your software, very easy to use and intuitive =)
Now, the only problem is that I can’t get my generic USB joystick to work, even tho MiJ recognizes it =s
Any help is appreciated, greetings fro Argentina!
Please add turbo/repeat option for all buttons (present in DS3 tool, XInput etc) and please add macro support for key mappings (not present in DS3 tool but present in tools such as Logitech G-Series Profiler, much needed feature to use Dualshock 3 as a remote for video viewing etc). Thank you!
Apologies to the creator for advertising something else, but the free version of Xpadder (5.3) does the same thing but has macros (though its interface is somewhat messier).
I would definitely switch to this if macros were added, it’s cleaner, still supported, and I’m not sure if the free version of Xpadder (which was discontinued in 2008) is technically piracy since you can’t get it from the actual site without paying anymore.
It’s surprisingly hard to find a free macro program with relative mouse movement functionality.
This looks good, thanks for the warning that DS3Tool can function as a trojan.
I have waited some time but still did not receive any response from you… If you are looking into the problem, can you at least verify that you read my message?
So, I DL’ed Better DS3 today, after DS3 tool did not want to launch at all.
It looked like an awesome program which I could swap out DS3 tool with.
However, after I saw that you need the original Motioninjoy/DS3 tool drivers, my heart sank.
As I can’t open DS3 tool at all, then how can I make Better DS3 work?
I can find my controller in the “control panel” for Better DS3, but not in the “connected DS3 controllers” window.
Are there any way that I could make Better DS3 work even though DS3 tool does not want to launch?
All the drivers should be the ones that Better DS3 requires, I am however not sure.
I’d love to get back to playing with the controller on most of my games, so I really hope there is a way to fix this.
Before DS3 tool stopped working, the drivers were at 0.7 something, atleast the latest driver far as I know.
And now there are no ways of making it work in MIJ, as the program just fails to launch entierly.
I’d love to know if there are other means to get the drivers, as they are already set to 2 of my USB ports.
Do you have a generic controller, or a Sony one?
I just now attempted to add support for generic gamepads that were compatible under MIJ, however, since I have no generic controllers, I won’t be able to test this feature.
If you do have a generic, please try Better DS3 1.5.2.
I’m using a PS3 controller, from the original PS3 release.
I’ve tried with controllers that come made for PC support, but they did not work with MIJ at all.
Hey, great program you’ve made! Much more straight-forward than MIJ!
I noticed in the changelog you say that you’ve fixed BetterDS3 preventing Windows from shutting down, yet unfortunately I’m still getting that issue. i’m on version 1.5.1 and had no previous versions installed beforehand. I left the computer alone to see if it would eventually shut down, but after 10 minutes it had yet to do so. If there is any information that can help you troubleshoot, let me know!
You’re not the only one noticing this, apparently there are different ways of determining when Windows is shutting down and not all Windows versions use the same method. I’m looking into this. Thanks for the info.
Also, unchecking “Close Minimizes” also alleviates this issue.
I have a problem. I have the version 0.7.1001 of the MIJ driver, installed MotioninJoy and DS3 Tool, Installed Better DS3. Now, when I open the Better DS3 program, my controller wont show up at connected controllers. I dont know why for whatever reason.
I have a real casual Dualshock 3 SIMAXIS controller
I am running this on an (quite a bit) old windows xp laptop. But it should still work, as the computer recognises the controller in control panel as a Playstation Controller
It’s possible you didn’t install the drivers for your controller (in DS3 Tool itself).
Please get your controller working with MIJ first, before trying to use it with Better DS3.
My comment is awaiting moderation, while I see other people’s answers get answered so quickly, how does this come?
(I have a problem. I have the version 0.7.1001 of the MIJ driver, installed MotioninJoy and DS3 Tool, Installed Better DS3. Now, when I open the Better DS3 program, my controller wont show up at connected controllers. I dont know why for whatever reason.)
I generally answer comments in the order that they are received, when I have time. Unless they require more research, in which case, they get bumped back until I’m done answering all the others and have time to figure out the problem they are having.
Hi, great work btw, the GUI is lovely. I’m wondering though if it will still work if I uninstall MIJ? I assume the drivers would be left untouched, only the software would be removed? I’m hesitant to do it as it took me ages to get MIJ working, so I don’t want to try uninstalling it to find I still need it.
Thanks.
Just rename DS3_Tool.exe in the installation folder if you don’t want it to run, just add a non executable file extension of your choice. For instance rename it to DS3_Tool.exe.no
This way if you accidentally click the shortcut, it won’t work. The only concern is with DS3_Tool.exe, so after you’ve done this, it will be fine.
Just found this out and I love it. It’s very clean, fast, and efficient.
However, these bones are getting old and the one feature that I use from DS3 Tools (found under Controller => Options) which is preventing me from making the switch is the ability to set “Auto-Fire/Turbo” for button-repetition. Is there any chance at that making it into Better DS3 soon? I’d love to uninstall DS3Trojan.exe forever.
I have the same exact problem with Simbai.. Won’t show up and the original DS3 Tool works.. Downloaded the drivers, now my main question is, do I have to download all the versions or that’s not the case?
Sorry if I’m missing something now that the original tool is evidently very unsafe to even start up unless you want to get viruses from China, is there a way to make this program work at all?
I didn’t say that you would get viruses from China if you used MIJ, I said it’s a possibility if the owner decided to, or, if the owner abandoned the domain and someone else bought it. If you’ve already installed the MIJ driver, there is no concern with continuing to use those drivers and using Better DS3 as a front end. The problem is with DS3_Tool.
However, if you don’t already have the drivers installed for your devices, you need to use DS3_Tool once to do this. If you’re not comfortable doing this, then don’t.
I may be looking at driver management in the future, if I have some time. But for now Better DS3 doesn’t do this.
For people new to computers and shit of this nature, UNINSTALL your controllers drivers IF YOU USED PAST DS3 TOOLS, dont know about anything else.. Phil.. You a boss bruh..
In regards to the vibration,it worked on the dreamcast emulator, however now on epsxe, i guess because on my computer it’s read as a 360 controller.. Still whether I find something to this or not, top work..
Hi!
Thanks for this wonderful tool.
I have one suggestion:it would be usefull to have an option to auto close the program after automatically applying a profile, because we don’t need it to continue running after applying the profile.
P.S. Sorry for my English.
I don’t think that’s useful at all.
Here’s why:
– What if I later want to connect a different controller, I have to reopen Better DS3.
– What if I want to connect two controllers? Or three? After the first, I’d have to reopen Better DS3.
Better DS3 uses ~10MB of RAM, this isn’t a big deal, at all.
However, if I remember I may add a startup switch to Better DS3 just for you. So, you’d have to make a custom shortcut to it with that command line argument included. I’ll let you know if I do.
I have forgoten that it can be used with 4 controllers… I have just one. But you are right it isn’t a big deal.
One more question could you add more mouse speeds, just because i find the second one two slow and the third one to fast?
So I finally had the time to set up my arcade PC connected to my TV. I installed Win Xp and Better DS3 works (yay!). One question remains though. Do I need to pair all controllers with MIJ once first? Because when I try to connect my other 3 PS3 controllers over BT with Better DS3 running none of them will connect.
Thank you for this awesome software which will make my arcade machine perfect.
Yes.
Once you’ve installed the drivers for one DualShock 3 and paired it, use the same USB port, and pair all the others for bluetooth.
Each controller has an EEPROM inside that stores which PS3 (or bluetooth dongle) it will connect to. By pairing the controller over USB, you are setting this bluetooth address inside the controller.
At least for me, opening the original tool now redirects your browser to a Chinese site and going to the driver options will open a prompt asking if you want to give whatever the Chinese name was permission to make changes to your computer. There’s a virus that does exactly this, although I obviously didn’t accept the prompt so my computer seems to be fine.
So it’s not really a matter of mere comfort at this point.
Better DS3 stores all settings under \Users\(username)\AppData\Local\BetterDS3 by default.
If you want, you can just copy all these files into the same folder where you keep Better DS3.exe and Better DS3 will use that folder instead for settings and profiles.
Or, you can run Better DS3 on the new system, and then copy all those files into the above mentioned folder on the new system that was created by Better DS3 on the new system, it’s up to you.
I have an issue. The program will not detect my controller, and yes, I do have the latest version of motionjoy.
It still isn’t detecting, can you help.
MIJ’s DS3_Tool has a tab labeled Driver Manager or Driver Management (I forget which), this is where you need to install the MIJ driver for your DualShock 3 and/or bluetooth dongle.
So, I just found out which driver’s for MIJ I actually have, and it’s not the latest one at all.
Instead the driver version is: 0.6.5.0.
However, I am unable to launch MIJ at all, it just fails to launch.
And it keeps on failing no matter what I’ve tried.
Are there any other way of getting the latest drivers?
I’ve tried all that I can by myself, far as I know.
Feature request: In the menu that pops up when you right-click the tray icon, would it be possible to add a button to power off the controller(s)? (I should probably use the idle power off timer)
Another feature request: could you add an option so that the master profile gets applied only the first time a controller is connected and the selected profile is remembered per-controller from then on? Earlier I was playing a game using a specialized profile and my controller powered off after being idle. When I reconnected it, Better DS3 automatically applied my master Xbox controller profile. The game picked up on the newly connected Xbox controller and switched all the controls. I was unable to convince it to recognize the custom DirectInput profile again without restarting the game.
I’m having a problem- after the controller’s been connected (not via BT) for a day or so, it stops responding. BDS3 still says it’s attached and the selected profile is active, but it’s as if the controller is turned off.
Also, getting it to respond again is a torment- I’ve been trying to reconnect the thing for an hour now, and BDS3 is refusing to see the controller, no matter how many times I restart the program or physically disconnect and reconnect the controller.
I have the same problem here. Once Better DS3 stops recognizing the controller over BT, nothing I do short of restarting my computer causes it to see it again.
I know this is over a year old, but this is still great work.. And send my thanks once again. Playing COD on steam with better ds3 allows me to play on ps3 settings, can’t so that with scp driver yet, and I thank your efforts.
please show us un tech savvy people how to set up this program
thanks
Once you have the MotioninJoy drivers working, you run Better DS3. Then you can use Better DS3 to assign your controller mappings, and pair bluetooth controllers. You shouldn’t uninstall MotioninJoy, but once you have the drivers installed you don’t need to use DS3_Tool anymore. Better DS3 doesn’t need to be installed, just copy it to your computer somewhere and run it. If you want it to start automatically with windows, just drag a shortcut of Better DS3 to your Startup folder.
thankyou alot this is a great program
… wait, wait, wait…
So to be able to run this we still need to have the DS3 tool for the drivers?? I think I’d rather prefer this offline tool to be capable to be a stand alone application and not a leech to the other you now classified as a threat to my PC.
Also a recomendation: add a test feature where a screen of a PS3 or X360 controller shows up and lights up buttons which you press or on screen thumbsticks move as you do the ones in your hand. It would make it much easier to map buttons. Just a thought.
Currently yes.
A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of driver management.
I’d like to address that in a different post.
I’ll ask the guy who did the graphics for the Better DS3 profile manager if he’s interested, otherwise, I’m not really capable of doing the artwork required for the graphical view.
so you can use this without an internet connection?
Yes.
Hey Phil, gotta say the additions you have crammed into version 1.4 have blown my mind. I exclusively use the PS3 Navi over keyboard for many games.
After using Motioninjoy offline mods til now, my PC FINALLY feels clean.
Even the offline 6.5 mod randomly flagged a firewall rule every few weeks or so. Using MiJ always made me feel dirty, too uncomfortable to play my games and even use my PC, like you I explored, armed with my rubbish coding skills an alternative, looking at the MiJ messy code I simply gave up scratching my head – “what is this shit?”.
Today is a fine day – not only Navigation controller support you have crammed in Xinput too. Please put a Paypal donate button up, I wanna buy you a beer or three, I got no job but BetterDS3 1.4 is so worth it.
Thanks a bunch – Joe.
Hi. I need more info on how to use it. I have a Win7 64bit with all the requirements in the home page. My problem is that whenever I connect my PS3 controller via USB it already connects it thru the DS3 Tool. Even with bluetooth. Another thing is that when I open Better DS3 thru USB the controller is not recognized.
Maybe you can make a step by step tutorial on how this software works alongside the MotionInJoy driver. I really have no idea. Thanks.
Once you have MIJ working, you don’t have to use DS3_Tool anymore, Better DS3 replaces it.
Sorry I’m too dumb to notice that the version of my motionjoy is 7.0000. Everything works fine now. I would suggest that ps3 controller should be pre-configured in DX Input. I ended up opening DS3 tool and copying the button map there. All in all this is a great project. Thanks for your work.
Thanks so much for this awesome tool!!!! Tried installing motioninjoy all weekend to no avail I have used it before but its just so uuuummm rubbish really, then I got ripped off paying for Xpadder which is just aweful worse still Xpaddee requires motioninjoy to work in order for it to work go figure!!!
BetterDS3 just works, its a download not an install and it only took 5 mins and I was playing PSO2 with my gamepad!!!! The GUI is just great and the auto button mapping is excellant. The guide video is also very helpful.
I am using a PS3 controller and i found that BBS3 auto installed the XB360 drivers just like that! A donate button pls!!!
Thanks again
I can’t get it to work, I don’t even know what I’m doing wrong.
Better DS3 is not detecting my controller and DS3_tool does. What am I missing?
Are you using version 0.7.1001 of the MIJ driver?
I have version 0.6.0003. Do I need to install a newer version?
Yes, I’ve only used / tested it with 0.7.1001.
Thank you, it works now!
Hi! First off, awesome software!
Second, everything works perfectly except one thing. The auto-apply doesnt work so every time I connect or reconnect my controller I have to open and press “apply”. Do I have to do something special to make it work?
For this feature to work, Better DS3 has to be running. You can check the “Minimize to Tray” box so it’s less obtrusive. Also, you have to have a master profile set by checking the “Automatically apply to controllers when connected” box in the profile editor screen.
What I do is drag a shortcut to Better DS3 to the Startup folder in the start menu. Check the “Start Minimized” and “Minimize to Tray” checkboxes, and that way I don’t have to worry about it again.
Hope this helps.
Check the latest version 1.4.1, to see if it resolves your issue.
http://betterds3.ciebiera.net/2013/03/27/bugfix-release-1-4-1/
Hi Phil, first I won’t to thank you for this wonderful program. It is working great but I am having trouble with Profiles automatically applying when I connect via blue-tooth. I installed the net 3.5 thinking it was that and applied it, but it is still not working for me. Is there something I am missing or maybe did wrong?
Sorry, this is copy paste, but you both have the same exact question.
For this feature to work, Better DS3 has to be running. You can check the “Minimize to Tray” box so it’s less obtrusive. Also, you have to have a master profile set by checking the “Automatically apply to controllers when connected” box in the profile editor screen.
What I do is drag a shortcut to Better DS3 to the Startup folder in the start menu. Check the “Start Minimized” and “Minimize to Tray” checkboxes, and that way I don’t have to worry about it again.
Hope this helps.
Phil I did all that and when I start up my computer it connects but does not show anything on the Better Ds3 tool window. (basically acting like it doesn’t connect) I have to shutdown Better DS3 and then open it back up for it to recognize that it is connected via blue-tooth. And then I have to manual apply my profile again. I would love to start and just push the PS button and have it apply the profile without doing anything. At first I thought it was the Net 3.5 but I installed it and applied it to my windows
“… when I start up my computer it connects but…” What is the “it” in this sentence? If you are talking about the DualShock 3 controller connected over USB then this is expected. Better DS3 gets notifications about USB devices being plugged in. It’s likely that your computer has enumerated the hardware before Better DS3 is launched during startup. If this is the case, I could perhaps add an additional option to apply the master profile to all controllers present upon starting Better DS3. Although it’s kind of odd that you say the controllers aren’t detected at all in Better DS3 until you close and open it again. I’m kind of confused by that.
That would be awesome if you could do that, I have tried everything and I just can not get it “the PS3 controller” to connect via bluetooth on a start up. Seems to just connect as a Motionjoy controller in the Control Panel until I completely close Better DS3 and reopen. When I reopen Better DS3 I can now apply the Profile and in the “connected DS3 Controllers” its shows it is indeed connected via bluetooth (not there on start up). I have uninstalled and re installed about 10 times and still can’t figure out why it does it. But anyway big thanks again for this because it is still functionally and awesome 🙂
I hunted down the problem, this is now addressed and should work in 1.4.1.
http://betterds3.ciebiera.net/2013/03/27/bugfix-release-1-4-1/
Your the man Phil , Once again you have gone above and beyond. This has been working flawless for me now. I start up a game push the PS button to connect, and Bam connected with the profile I need. Thanks again.
You’re welcome!
Heya,
can you add an option that turns “close window” into “minimize”?
I like having the tool in my tray, but I have this old habit to close windows I don’t need on reflex.
Thanks,
schmirdn
This seems reasonable.
This has been added in 1.4.1.
http://betterds3.ciebiera.net/2013/03/27/bugfix-release-1-4-1/
Wow I thought this was going to be a waste of time. I’m so glad I was wrong! Works great, thanks for making this. Also, after you install the drivers and get it working, you can uninstall motionInJoy! A notable plus!
Hey there, thanks for this nice program. I get a bluescreen if my USB cable comes out of my PS3 controller, which is a major problem. Is this reproducible on your end?
P.S. This only occurs while playing Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition. I haven’t tried it in any other games, but I’m guessing that it will do the same under any circumstances where a program is utilizing the controller.
A BSOD can only be caused by kernel mode software. Since Better DS3 doesn’t have those privileges, it is not the cause of the issue you are experiencing. I have had these problems with the MotioninJoy driver myself, but only when connecting or disconnecting my DualShock 3 controller via USB, as you’ve mentioned. I have solved this problem for myself by simply not connecting the DualShock 3 controller via USB, and instead relying on a Bluetooth connection to use the controller. I charge it elsewhere.
Sorry.
This really helps sir. I would suggest giving an automatic button to assign the ps3 buttons as like from the xbox thingy. >.< It would help alot of us with less knowledge on control mapping so much. Thanks. Thank you very much!
You have made my whole day.
With lots of love –and respect,
I shall Thank You
Are you suggesting an Auto Fill button for DirectInput, like the Auto Fill button for XBox 360 in XInput? If so, I can add this.
Is there any chance this supports the built in bluetooth adaptors in Macbook Pros? MIJ doesn’t and I can’t stand having to be tethered by USB when using my Dualshock.
Better DS3 does not, and can not, add any additional support for devices.
Sorry.
Although there are plenty of cheap Bluetooth dongles that are compatible with MIJ.
Hey
can you help i dont know how to install it on 32bit pc plezzz help????????¨
Better DS3 doesn’t need to be installed like most programs.
Just copy it to where you’d like it to be, and then run it.
Amazing program glad I stumbled upon it via the youtube video. However I do have a problem, after waking my computer from sleep Better DS3 won’t recognize my dualshock, after a restart it will work perfectly but if I put it to sleep and wake it the next day it won’t work.
Initially I found if I kept Better DS3 minimized instead of closing it would keep the problem from happening but that doesn’t work anymore. Nobody else seems to have this problem so I figure it’s something on my end.
Before I had the Xinput Wrapper from the PCSX2 forums to game with my dualshock, I uninstalled the driver (I think) before installing DS3 Tool but maybe I didn’t do it right, any thoughts?
Do you mean after a restart of your computer, or Better DS3?
I don’t use sleep so this is something I’d have to investigate.
A restart of the computer.
If the only thing that will fix it is a restart of the computer I think this is driver related. If you notice the same issue with the original DS3_Tool then for sure, it’s the MIJ drivers, sorry.
Alright thanks for looking into it, it isn’t a big deal honestly since it still works and the fix isn’t difficult. Later I’ll try reinstalling the drivers and see if that does anything.
Thank you so much for making this, I can at last remove the offensive DS3 tool. This is so much better!
This website does not easily come up in searches mind you, but people should know about it – I almost gave up and bought a stinky old 360 pad before I stumbled on this.
Not too many places link here, also I’m no SEO wizard, sorry.
So glad I found this! The GUI is really, really nice too. One question. Are the L2 and R2 buttons mapped the same as the Xbox 360 triggers when auto-filling the config? They feel as if there is some dead zone set too big. For example, in Alan Wake R2 is used to accelerate a car, but my car will almost not drive until I fully press the trigger. Another example: in Tomb Raider when shooting the bow with the X360 controller I can slightly pull the string. With my PS3 controller I cannot.
Try to calibrate the controller in windows. Click the Control Panel button on Better DS3, select the controller, click properties, go to the settings tab, and click the calibrate button.
After that it should be good to go.
my ps3 controller is not dettected help pls, srry for my english, im spanish
Make sure you have MotioninJoy driver version 0.7.1001 installed.
Make sure your controller is detected in MotioninJoy first.
Thank you for this! I’m really happy since I found it.
But I don’t know how to pair the bluetooth with this. It worked when I had it paired before with DS3_Tool, which is done just by a click, but I don’t know how to do it with Better DS3.
Connect your DualShock 3 controller via USB.
Highlight it by clicking it under Connected DS3 Controllers on the left.
In the Bluetooth Pairing group in the lower right…
Make sure Host is filled in (this is the MAC address of your bluetooth adapter)
Current Master will show the address the controller is currently paired with.
Make sure New Master is set to the same as Host.
Click Set. Controller is now paired.
I finally paired it. There was a problem with my bluetooth detection. Now I just had to click “set” and it works perfectly!
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
By the way, I uninstalled DS3_Tool and this still works fine. It seems like the DS3_Tool uninstaller doesn’t uninstall the driver, so there is no need to have DS3_Tool in your computer once you have the driver.
Would it be possible to make this compatible with the drivers from the Xinput Wrapper from the PCSX2 forums so I don’t have to install the shady almost impossible to fullly remove from your system drivers that motionjoy installs?
That would be outside the scope of Better DS3.
Better DS3 targets the MotioninJoy driver.
So you take a free tool+driver, a signed one at that which cost alot money, remove the means of support for the developer of said tool+driver, wrongfully call it a trojan horse just because it requires an internet connection, and then ask for donations for yourself on this site while using someone else work…
I debated approving this comment, but because there may be other misguided people, I’ll respond to it publicly in the interest of full disclosure.
“So you take a free tool+driver, a signed one at that which cost alot money,”
I didn’t take anything.
“remove the means of support for the developer of said tool+driver,”
I didn’t remove anything.
“wrongfully call it a trojan horse”
No it’s definitely a trojan horse. I never said there were trojan soldiers inside it at the moment.
I explained truthfully in my writeup what the capabilities of DS3_Tool are. This is irrefutable.
To me those capabilities define a trojan horse. You can call it whatever you like.
“just because it requires an internet connection,”
For no rational reason whatsoever.
“and then ask for donations for yourself on this site”
I put a bitcoin address at the top of my site three days ago for donations.
People have asked me both publicly and privately for a way to donate to me.
If you feel like taking the time to look around my site, you’ll see that.
“while using someone else work…”
That’s like me arguing that Adobe Photoshop depends on Windows to be installed, so Adobe is using someone else’s work.
I’m not trying to take credit for the work of MotioninJoy at all. In fact Better DS3 wouldn’t work without it. All I’ve done is create an alternative and arguably better tool which configures the MotioninJoy driver. If people want to use Better DS3 instead of DS3_Tool, that’s their choice and their prerogative. I made this tool for myself. For a personal project I made. I felt it’d be nice to share it with other people. Along the way people have pointed out bugs in my software that I’ve fixed, along with other suggestions for improvement, some of which I’ve implemented. I answer questions using my own free time to the best of my ability.
hi, thanks for the great work.
Can it save/load the profiles to the same folder as the executable (instead of using the user/appdata) to make it fully portable/dropboxable ?
That is a good idea, I will add support for this shortly.
This has been added in 1.5.0.
http://betterds3.ciebiera.net/2013/04/15/feature-release-1-5-0/
Just copy your existing settings file and profiles to the folder where you keep Better DS3.
Better DS3 will now check in its own folder for the settings file, and if it exists it will use that path, otherwise it will behave as it did before.
Thanks for suggesting this feature!
that was fast ! thanks !
Can you elaborate a little bit on the analog to digital threshold sliders? How they’re supposed to work? I was interested in setting up my triggers with about 70% of their analog “throw”, and then having them switch to digital for the last 30%, so I wouldn’t have to death-grip them to register maximum input. I had been thinking that your sliders would provide for this, but since the triggers are set up as a joystick axis it just creates a useless dead zone.
Any thoughts?
The analog to digital thresholds are a little confusing. Let me explain them.
If you create a mapping under the digital column for an analog physical input (Triangle for instance), then MIJ will choose its own threshold, you have no control over this.
However, if you create a mapping to a digital button under the analog column for an analog physical input, then this slider becomes a dead-zone for the physical controller.
You can map two different functions to a button, one analog and one digital, then use a higher value on the slider to activate the secondary analog function (however, both will be activated at the same time.)
What you are trying to achieve can be done by “cheating” the calibration in windows. For instance, set your L2 and R2 to an analog axis +/- (not a full axis). Then when you are calibrating, only pull those triggers as hard as you want the maximum activation value to be. That way windows thinks that is the full travel of the triggers. It’s a workaround but it’s the only way as far as I’ve found.
Hope this helps.
It does! Thank you for the interesting information, and thanks for the program too, by the way. It’s excellent. 😀
My problem with MotioninJoy was that I got blue screens because of it. I’m not exactly sure what was causing it, though reading through the comments it seems that it was caused by using USB connectivity rather than Bluetooth. Does the same issue happen with this tool? Would you say that using the Bluetooth connection is ultimately better and more stable than the USB alternative?
Yes the same will occur with Better DS3, since the fault lies within the kernel mode driver of MIJ itself.
I have had better success not using USB at all, and strictly using bluetooth for all of my controllers.
I’ve not had a BSOD yet using bluetooth. However, I’ve heard people say that if your battery dies while connected via bluetooth you may have a problem, I don’t let my battery die, so I can’t be sure.
Some suggestions for nice-to-have features:
– Balloon tips for controller connects/disconnects, also showing battery state
– Single click on systray icon opens application (instead of double click)
Thanks so much for this tool! Had some issues getting it working after installing multiple versions of the MIJ drivers and having to manually edit the inf files so the bluetooth driver would install, but after a complete uninstall/reinstall and a controller reset I was in business. Drivers are in place, MIJ DS3 Tool is uninstalled, Better DS3 is in my startup folder, and everything works like a charm. Again, many thanks!
Hello and thanks for providing this piece of software.
I’m using it under XP 32bit.
What I observed was that I can’t shutdown the system until I close BetterDS3. I mean exiting, not just minimizing.
The second thing: I have a master profile that should be applied on connection. I don’t know if it’s done (should I get no button response if not?), but the select field in the gui seems not be updated if it is.
Have a nice day
Stefan
The first issue is a bug that I will be addressing shortly.
With a master profile set, and Better DS3 running.
Any controller you connect to your computer from that point on will have the master profile assigned to it. You will not be notified, nothing in the interface will look different, it should just work.
If it’s not working for you please let me know.
Sorry to say, but 1.5.1 does not fix the shutdown prevention for me (XP SP3 32bit).
As a Linux guy I know next to nothing about windows programming, but if you need me to clamp a monitor or something on your app for inspection, just tell me what to do.
Sorry about that, I’ll dig out an old laptop that has Windows XP installed on it and investigate further.
I’m having the same issue on Windows 7 x64. From a little bit of testing, it seems to be caused by having “Close Minimizes” checked. At least, it hangs shutdown if I have it checked but doesn’t if it is unchecked. This is pretty consistently replicable for me. I would assume the close command Windows is sending for shutdown is only minimizing the program over and over because of whatever code you put in to keep it open.
This happens on two different computers, by the way. Both Windows 7 x64. One laptop, one desktop.
1.5.1 Fixed this issue on Windows 7, please try that for now. I will be looking more into this shortly.
That’s the version I am using. I downloaded it on April 28th. I still get the notification that I can’t shutdown Windows without closing Better DS3 or forcing it to end.
Great work, by the way. I just wish there was a way to install the drivers without ever downloading MiJ.
1.5.2 fixes this issue on XP for me. Thanks.
Hello Phil,
first of all thanks and congrats for you work!
I was wondering, is it possible in the future to implement a way to auto-apply master profile at already connected controllers?
Actually the auto-apply feature works only with controllers connected after the program launch. Since I don’t ever unplug the controller I have to manually apply the profile at each system reboot.
Thanks in advance! 🙂
Yeah, I’ve thought about this, and it’s a good idea to have that option.
I’ll address it shortly.
Thank you! 🙂
Hey,
this is a great program! I do have a problem though. I am using it together with Xpadder because I want the keyboard settings. all the buttons work but not the sticks : control panel properties, I see that all the buttons work fine but still not the joy sticks. How do I fix this? I am using MIJ 0.7.1001.
nvm, i tried it with mij, got it to work, then i tried it again with the better ds3 program and now it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!! omg
Phil. Thanks a lot, man! The original DS3 Tool was a very…unpleasant experience. Do you accept only Bitcoins at the moment?
Currently yeah.
I can’t really have a standard PayPal donate button, it’s not worth the hassle to register as a non-profit and all that. I may add a different type of PayPal button at some point, and if I do, I’ll let you know.
Thanks for thinking about me.
Hey, you know how a lot of fighting games on consoles, emulators on PC, and PC games in general let you select a button to remap, then you press that button on your controller, and it maps it to the one you selected? You should have that in this.
It’s really confusing to try to match up buttons 1-15 with the appropriate option in the dropdown list.
Thanks in advance, great great tool!
I don’t think it would be that useful. If I have some time, I might add it.
Hi, i LOVE MotioninJoy, so i like this program too.
I have a request: i’d like to see in next update of “Better DS3” the addition of a great feature from the lastest version of MotioninJoy (0.7.1001), that SADLY not work.
It’s the “Custom” configuration, that allows you to create a configuration combining the keybord keys + mouse inputs + Xinput buttons!
How i say before, sadly this feature not work on MotioninJoy, when you save the Custom profile and returns to the homepage, all the changes will be gone 🙁
Please, can you fix this feature? i’d appreciate very much.
Many thanks for the support and an eventual answer ^^
I believe it’s DirectInput you’re thinking of, not XInput.
Please correct me if I’m wrong on that.
If it is DirectInput, then that feature is already available, just create a Keyboard/Mouse mapping, and choose Button 1 – 20, or DPad.
Thanks for the answer!
Nono, i mean Xinput, these are various images i made, hoping they are more clear than me:
http://imageshack.us/a/img198/5047/senzatitolo1kf.jpg
1) Click on “Create” button of “Custom” mode.
http://imageshack.us/a/img15/4835/senzatitolo2ya.jpg
2) Once in the “Create” mode there is a Xinput option.
http://imageshack.us/a/img507/5522/senzatitolo3p.jpg
3) Now, if you check the “Xinput” mode and THEN you create a new profile, you can customize a profile with the Xinput insted of DirectInput of a generic Gamepad.
http://imageshack.us/a/img824/6780/senzatitolo4f.jpg
4) For example i set on Triangle the “Keyboard”, and than the F3 button.
http://imageshack.us/a/img708/7313/senzatitolo5o.jpg
5) Here i set the “B” button of the 360 controller on Circle and the left click of the mouse on the Cross of DS3.
Like you see, potentially you can make a great hybrid configuration that would be useful for certain game.
Take a look yourself and let me know if this feature is workable for Better DS3, i appreciate ^^
Ha!
I never noticed this ability, I’ll see what I can do about adding that support.
Thanks.
I have MotioninJoy 0.7.1001 installed and it recognizes controllers properly, but Better DS3 does not see my controllers at all. I have tried connecting them both via Bluetooth and USB. Any ideas?
Is it possible you had an older installation of MotioninJoy, and then upgraded to a new release, but then you didn’t update the drivers as well? As far as I know, simply updating MIJ, does not update the drivers, you have to do that manually.
Also, are you using a Sony DualShock 3, or some other generic?
I am using DS3 controllers. The normal MIJ interface reports the driver version as 0.7.1001, but I will try uninstalling the drivers and reinstalling them to see if that makes a difference.
Thanks. After reinstalling the drivers, Better DS3 can now see my controllers.
Great program. “Start with Windows” feature would be cool..
I didn’t add this for a couple of reasons.
First off, if Better DS3 were to add registry entries, it would require administrative access.
One of the tenets of Better DS3 was to NOT require administrative privileges.
Also, it’s pretty trivial to drag a shortcut of Better DS3 to your Startup folder in the start menu.
Cant find startup folder in Windows 8 so i put it in “regedit”, now it works.
For some reason i get that Better DS3 “is preventing PC to restart” screen, but solved that in “regedit” aswell 🙂
autostart: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Better DS3.exe
autoendtasks: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\AutoEndTasks (Reg_SZ – String type, Value 1)
Windows 8 may not have a Startup folder, I’ve not used it, I just assumed they’d keep it.
I’m hearing additional comments from people that say Better DS3 is preventing their computers from restarting. I’m looking into additional ways to detect Windows shutdown, as apparently Microsoft hasn’t made a standard notification method across operating systems. I’ll be fixing this shortly. Thanks for the info.
The new version fixed the shutdown problem, for win8 x64 at least. 🙂
I think i found a bug with the `close minimizes`. When i use X (close) to minimize to tray, then connect ps3-controller, it doesnt show under `connected controller` when betterDS3 is reopened.
The controller works fine, but i cannot disconnect or apply a profile. 🙂
Good eye, I’ll look into it.
This has been addressed in 1.5.3, thanks again!
http://betterds3.ciebiera.net/2013/05/10/bugfix-release-1-5-3/
No problemo. Cool man, it works =)
I like the look of this tool and I am having a simple problem you have already addressed. However, due to my circumstances I am unable to fix the problem conventionally. As addressed above by other people, my controller is not being read because I lack the proper drivers. My circumstances prevent me from accessing the motioninjoy tool due to a netgear firewall that I cannot override that somehow prevents the usage of the DS3 Tool to get the drivers I need. D you have any way I can get these drivers without having to go through the Motioninjoy DS3 Tool? Perhaps an external download or something? If you can’t help me with this, that’s fine and I will figure out a way to do it myself if I must. Thank you in advance for any advice or help you can offer.
Sorry about that.
I don’t want to distribute any software that’s not my own.
You should be able to manually install the driver through device manager by navigating to your bluetooth dongle and choosing the driver to install from the path that contains the .inf from MIJ.
Try browsing the install directory of MIJ for the drivers.
I’m not 100% on this though, I’ve not done it this way.
My problem is with the “Z axis” asign to l2 and r2 trigger buttons in the mode “controler (Xbox 360 wireles receiver for windows” (in device profile) i cant make it work and i just make it work like buttons not like trigger what i need in Fifa 13, is any solution for this? please. Im using Windows 8 64bits, Better DS3 v1.5.1. Thanks
I don’t think there is a Z Axis in XInput mode.
But try this.
1.) Set L2 to Axis Z – under Analog, None under digital.
2.) Set R2 to Axis Z + under Analog, None under digital.
3.) Calibrate the controller in Windows.
I don’t know about Windows 8, but in Windows 7:
-In Better DS3, click Control Panel
-Click Properties
-Click Settings tab
-Click Calibrate
-Follow instructions
Good luck.
Thanks for this. I’m very glad to finally have the one feature I’ve always wanted- auto-load profile- and get rid of the awful trojan to boot.
Now if I could just convince you to write your own driver so we can all forgo MotionInJoy altogether.
Hi Phil,
Great software!
I was wondering if you have plans to implement button combinations.
For example, pressing SQUARE = R, but holding L1 and pressing SQUARE would = F.
I use XPadder to achieve this for now, but it would be nice to just use Better DS3. I like to set L1 + button = 1 through 9, for hot key options.
Thanks!
This isn’t really possible for Better DS3 to do, it would require the MIJ driver to support that ability, which it does not. Sorry.
Hi! I have purchased a TRENDnet Micro-Bluetooth USB Adapter so I can use my controller wirelessly. This product came with a driver installation. After I installed the driver all I needed to do was open Better DS3, apply my profile and I was set! I can use my controller wirelessly!
NOW the problem is that after I TURN OFF my computer, I open DS3 the “host” box was empty but the “bluetooth pairing” section was active, but I can not make a connection!
Yelp please!
Thanks,
It’s possible the MIJ driver is no longer installed for your bluetooth adapter. I’ve heard someone mention that with Windows 8 the MIJ driver is replaced on reboot. Not sure if that’s your issue, but you may want to check it out in MIJ to see if that’s the case.
If the host box is empty it means that the MIJ driver is not reporting finding your bluetooth adapter as a configurable device.
It’s very strange… Just right after I installed the Bluetooth dongle setup it connected and worked… And after a reboot its stopped working?! Hmm… I’ll have to use MotionJoy and see what happens. But unfortunately when I go to http://www.motioninjoy.com/ it tells me 403 forbidden!!!
What’s is going on? Now where can I get the setup files… -__-
Hi! Let me start by saying that I love your software, very easy to use and intuitive =)
Now, the only problem is that I can’t get my generic USB joystick to work, even tho MiJ recognizes it =s
Any help is appreciated, greetings fro Argentina!
Hmm, it’s possible I overlooked supporting generic devices. I’ll look into it.
HELP, I just downloaded Better DS3
and I clicked power off by mistake
and when I click on control panel and select the controller nothing happen
please help 🙁
If your controller was connected via USB, try to unplug it, and plug it back in. If it was connected via bluetooth, just press the PS button again.
Please add turbo/repeat option for all buttons (present in DS3 tool, XInput etc) and please add macro support for key mappings (not present in DS3 tool but present in tools such as Logitech G-Series Profiler, much needed feature to use Dualshock 3 as a remote for video viewing etc). Thank you!
Apologies to the creator for advertising something else, but the free version of Xpadder (5.3) does the same thing but has macros (though its interface is somewhat messier).
I would definitely switch to this if macros were added, it’s cleaner, still supported, and I’m not sure if the free version of Xpadder (which was discontinued in 2008) is technically piracy since you can’t get it from the actual site without paying anymore.
It’s surprisingly hard to find a free macro program with relative mouse movement functionality.
This looks good, thanks for the warning that DS3Tool can function as a trojan.
I don’t think Xpadder configures the MIJ driver.
Hello Phil,
I have waited some time but still did not receive any response from you… If you are looking into the problem, can you at least verify that you read my message?
Thanks,
Sorry, I don’t always have time to respond quickly, I’ve been busy with some things. Please check my reply to you above.
So, I DL’ed Better DS3 today, after DS3 tool did not want to launch at all.
It looked like an awesome program which I could swap out DS3 tool with.
However, after I saw that you need the original Motioninjoy/DS3 tool drivers, my heart sank.
As I can’t open DS3 tool at all, then how can I make Better DS3 work?
I can find my controller in the “control panel” for Better DS3, but not in the “connected DS3 controllers” window.
Are there any way that I could make Better DS3 work even though DS3 tool does not want to launch?
All the drivers should be the ones that Better DS3 requires, I am however not sure.
I’d love to get back to playing with the controller on most of my games, so I really hope there is a way to fix this.
Thank you.
Better DS3 supports MIJ driver 0.7.1001 only.
It’s likely you have an older driver version, and this is the problem.
Before DS3 tool stopped working, the drivers were at 0.7 something, atleast the latest driver far as I know.
And now there are no ways of making it work in MIJ, as the program just fails to launch entierly.
I’d love to know if there are other means to get the drivers, as they are already set to 2 of my USB ports.
Do you have a generic controller, or a Sony one?
I just now attempted to add support for generic gamepads that were compatible under MIJ, however, since I have no generic controllers, I won’t be able to test this feature.
If you do have a generic, please try Better DS3 1.5.2.
I’m using a PS3 controller, from the original PS3 release.
I’ve tried with controllers that come made for PC support, but they did not work with MIJ at all.
I really hope that there are so may to fix this.
Hey, great program you’ve made! Much more straight-forward than MIJ!
I noticed in the changelog you say that you’ve fixed BetterDS3 preventing Windows from shutting down, yet unfortunately I’m still getting that issue. i’m on version 1.5.1 and had no previous versions installed beforehand. I left the computer alone to see if it would eventually shut down, but after 10 minutes it had yet to do so. If there is any information that can help you troubleshoot, let me know!
Win 7 SP1 x64
BetterDS3 v1.5.1
MIJ Driver v7.1001
You’re not the only one noticing this, apparently there are different ways of determining when Windows is shutting down and not all Windows versions use the same method. I’m looking into this. Thanks for the info.
Also, unchecking “Close Minimizes” also alleviates this issue.
I have a problem. I have the version 0.7.1001 of the MIJ driver, installed MotioninJoy and DS3 Tool, Installed Better DS3. Now, when I open the Better DS3 program, my controller wont show up at connected controllers. I dont know why for whatever reason.
Do you have an actual Sony DualShock 3 controller?
Or is it a generic?
If it’s a generic I may have overlooked the detection on those, and I’ll address it soon.
I have a real casual Dualshock 3 SIMAXIS controller
I am running this on an (quite a bit) old windows xp laptop. But it should still work, as the computer recognises the controller in control panel as a Playstation Controller
It’s possible you didn’t install the drivers for your controller (in DS3 Tool itself).
Please get your controller working with MIJ first, before trying to use it with Better DS3.
My comment is awaiting moderation, while I see other people’s answers get answered so quickly, how does this come?
(I have a problem. I have the version 0.7.1001 of the MIJ driver, installed MotioninJoy and DS3 Tool, Installed Better DS3. Now, when I open the Better DS3 program, my controller wont show up at connected controllers. I dont know why for whatever reason.)
I generally answer comments in the order that they are received, when I have time. Unless they require more research, in which case, they get bumped back until I’m done answering all the others and have time to figure out the problem they are having.
Hi, great work btw, the GUI is lovely. I’m wondering though if it will still work if I uninstall MIJ? I assume the drivers would be left untouched, only the software would be removed? I’m hesitant to do it as it took me ages to get MIJ working, so I don’t want to try uninstalling it to find I still need it.
Thanks.
Just rename DS3_Tool.exe in the installation folder if you don’t want it to run, just add a non executable file extension of your choice. For instance rename it to DS3_Tool.exe.no
This way if you accidentally click the shortcut, it won’t work. The only concern is with DS3_Tool.exe, so after you’ve done this, it will be fine.
Just found this out and I love it. It’s very clean, fast, and efficient.
However, these bones are getting old and the one feature that I use from DS3 Tools (found under Controller => Options) which is preventing me from making the switch is the ability to set “Auto-Fire/Turbo” for button-repetition. Is there any chance at that making it into Better DS3 soon? I’d love to uninstall DS3Trojan.exe forever.
Again, thanks for your work.
Maybe, I’ll look into it, I’ll comment back if I add this feature.
I have the same exact problem with Simbai.. Won’t show up and the original DS3 Tool works.. Downloaded the drivers, now my main question is, do I have to download all the versions or that’s not the case?
You need to have the 0.7.1001 drivers applied to your bluetooth dongle and DS3 controllers in the driver management section in MIJ.
BIG QUESTION, should I uninstall 6.0003??
Yes.
Sorry if I’m missing something now that the original tool is evidently very unsafe to even start up unless you want to get viruses from China, is there a way to make this program work at all?
I didn’t say that you would get viruses from China if you used MIJ, I said it’s a possibility if the owner decided to, or, if the owner abandoned the domain and someone else bought it. If you’ve already installed the MIJ driver, there is no concern with continuing to use those drivers and using Better DS3 as a front end. The problem is with DS3_Tool.
However, if you don’t already have the drivers installed for your devices, you need to use DS3_Tool once to do this. If you’re not comfortable doing this, then don’t.
I may be looking at driver management in the future, if I have some time. But for now Better DS3 doesn’t do this.
Only question now is about vibration if there is any..
Disregard the vibration question
For people new to computers and shit of this nature, UNINSTALL your controllers drivers IF YOU USED PAST DS3 TOOLS, dont know about anything else.. Phil.. You a boss bruh..
And got a generic to work!! God like bruh..
In regards to the vibration,it worked on the dreamcast emulator, however now on epsxe, i guess because on my computer it’s read as a 360 controller.. Still whether I find something to this or not, top work..
Maybe creating a different profile using PCSX2 would work?
Are you set to use DualShock in controller options?
Are you using save states?
Just a couple of things I’ve read, try them out. If not I’ll try and see if I can get it working.
i dont use pcx2 yet gotta get a i5-i7 asus or alienware first. Vibration definetly doesn’t work on epsx, but that’s a problem many have..
Hi!
Thanks for this wonderful tool.
I have one suggestion:it would be usefull to have an option to auto close the program after automatically applying a profile, because we don’t need it to continue running after applying the profile.
P.S. Sorry for my English.
I don’t think that’s useful at all.
Here’s why:
– What if I later want to connect a different controller, I have to reopen Better DS3.
– What if I want to connect two controllers? Or three? After the first, I’d have to reopen Better DS3.
Better DS3 uses ~10MB of RAM, this isn’t a big deal, at all.
However, if I remember I may add a startup switch to Better DS3 just for you. So, you’d have to make a custom shortcut to it with that command line argument included. I’ll let you know if I do.
I have forgoten that it can be used with 4 controllers… I have just one. But you are right it isn’t a big deal.
One more question could you add more mouse speeds, just because i find the second one two slow and the third one to fast?
So I finally had the time to set up my arcade PC connected to my TV. I installed Win Xp and Better DS3 works (yay!). One question remains though. Do I need to pair all controllers with MIJ once first? Because when I try to connect my other 3 PS3 controllers over BT with Better DS3 running none of them will connect.
Thank you for this awesome software which will make my arcade machine perfect.
Yes.
Once you’ve installed the drivers for one DualShock 3 and paired it, use the same USB port, and pair all the others for bluetooth.
Each controller has an EEPROM inside that stores which PS3 (or bluetooth dongle) it will connect to. By pairing the controller over USB, you are setting this bluetooth address inside the controller.
Hi Phil
Thank you very much for your fast and detailed reply.
About the “viruses from China”…
At least for me, opening the original tool now redirects your browser to a Chinese site and going to the driver options will open a prompt asking if you want to give whatever the Chinese name was permission to make changes to your computer. There’s a virus that does exactly this, although I obviously didn’t accept the prompt so my computer seems to be fine.
So it’s not really a matter of mere comfort at this point.
Yes, it creates a popup. That’s pretty lame, I know.
Any program that will install or uninstall drivers will require administrative privileges.
I think I will start working on another tool which handles driver install, and uninstall.
ONE MORE HUGE QUESTION!!!
About to transfer Windows 7 game files to a usb drive, need to know if Better DS3 can be transfered via usb flash and still work..
*Transferring to Windows 8
Better DS3 stores all settings under \Users\(username)\AppData\Local\BetterDS3 by default.
If you want, you can just copy all these files into the same folder where you keep Better DS3.exe and Better DS3 will use that folder instead for settings and profiles.
Or, you can run Better DS3 on the new system, and then copy all those files into the above mentioned folder on the new system that was created by Better DS3 on the new system, it’s up to you.
I have an issue. The program will not detect my controller, and yes, I do have the latest version of motionjoy.
It still isn’t detecting, can you help.
Did you install the driver under driver management in MIJ? Does your controller currently work with MIJ?
What do you mean under driver management?
MIJ’s DS3_Tool has a tab labeled Driver Manager or Driver Management (I forget which), this is where you need to install the MIJ driver for your DualShock 3 and/or bluetooth dongle.
Installed it, restarted the computer, still not detected.
So, I just found out which driver’s for MIJ I actually have, and it’s not the latest one at all.
Instead the driver version is: 0.6.5.0.
However, I am unable to launch MIJ at all, it just fails to launch.
And it keeps on failing no matter what I’ve tried.
Are there any other way of getting the latest drivers?
I’ve tried all that I can by myself, far as I know.
Ok epsxe doesn’t support rumble on my p3 controller..
Got it to work, hand to reinstall the program.
Thanks man.
Feature request: In the menu that pops up when you right-click the tray icon, would it be possible to add a button to power off the controller(s)? (I should probably use the idle power off timer)
Another feature request: could you add an option so that the master profile gets applied only the first time a controller is connected and the selected profile is remembered per-controller from then on? Earlier I was playing a game using a specialized profile and my controller powered off after being idle. When I reconnected it, Better DS3 automatically applied my master Xbox controller profile. The game picked up on the newly connected Xbox controller and switched all the controls. I was unable to convince it to recognize the custom DirectInput profile again without restarting the game.
You can just close the Better DS3 while you are playing, therefore the master profile would not be applyed.
I’m having a problem- after the controller’s been connected (not via BT) for a day or so, it stops responding. BDS3 still says it’s attached and the selected profile is active, but it’s as if the controller is turned off.
Also, getting it to respond again is a torment- I’ve been trying to reconnect the thing for an hour now, and BDS3 is refusing to see the controller, no matter how many times I restart the program or physically disconnect and reconnect the controller.
I gave up and ran DS3T, which detected the controller fine.
Seriously, though, we need somebody to write a driver so we don’t have to depend on MotionInJoy.
I’d be perfectly happy with one that just makes windows think it’s an x360 controller, since that’s the only profile I use anyway.
I have the same problem here. Once Better DS3 stops recognizing the controller over BT, nothing I do short of restarting my computer causes it to see it again.
I know this is over a year old, but this is still great work.. And send my thanks once again. Playing COD on steam with better ds3 allows me to play on ps3 settings, can’t so that with scp driver yet, and I thank your efforts.